(K) -EXPLORING PROPERTIES o Properties of water o Evaporation & Condensation
-THE SENSES o The 5 senses o Comparing and contrasting
(K) -TREES THROUGH THE SEASONS o What are some changes we see in trees during the year?
-SUN STARS ANS EARTH o Day, Night, and the Seasons
(K) -ANIMALS o What are animals? o Food and Habitat o Life Cycle o Characteristics
-PLANTS o Plant Growth o Plant Changes o Plants and their environment
Science in kindergarten explores the physical properties of materials and the changes in plants and animals through the seasons.
By the end of the school year, all students should be able to:
Use their senses, such as sight and touch, to observe and describe different objects. For example, they should be able to tell that a basketball looks round, that the surface is covered with little rubber dots and feels rough, and that it makes a sound when it bounces on the ground.
Observe a number of objects and decide whether they are alike or different.
Use tools to describe and compare the physical properties of objects. For example, use a pan balance scale to see which of two objects weighs more, or use a thermometer to find out which of several glasses of water is warmer.
Observe, describe, and recognize the properties of materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. For example, recognize the grains of wood or the shiny surface of polished metals.
Sort objects according to their physical properties, such as color, shape, or texture.
Observe and describe how plants change from season to season.
Observe how plants and animals grow and change.
Identify what plants and animals need to live, such as air, water, and light.
Observe and compare the parts of a plant—such as roots, leaves, stems, and flowers—that enable different plants to live.
Recognize that living things have offspring and that offspring closely resemble their parents.
Learning at Home
Check the weather together when your child wakes up each day. Talk about what clothes he or she might wear to school based on that day’s forecast.
Ask your child to take photos or draw pictures of a tree or plant near your home as it changes from season to season. Display the pictures together and talk about the changes.
Help your child raise an easy-to-grow plant, like a begonia or coleus, in a pot in your home. Together, find out what the plant needs to be healthy.
Start a family leaf collection and talk about how the leaves are alike and different. The American Museum of Natural History offers an online guide to leaves, plus tips for adult helpers. Go to www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/online_field_journal/. Click on “Field Journals” and choose "Leaves."
Kindergarten Science
-EXPLORING PROPERTIES
o Properties of water
o Evaporation & Condensation
-THE SENSES
o The 5 senses
o Comparing and contrasting
-TREES THROUGH THE SEASONS
o What are some changes we see in trees during the year?
-SUN STARS ANS EARTH
o Day, Night, and the Seasons
-ANIMALS
o What are animals?
o Food and Habitat
o Life Cycle
o Characteristics
-PLANTS
o Plant Growth
o Plant Changes
o Plants and their environment
CA BOCES
Life Science
Classroom PlantsInsects
Physical Science
Shapes, Forms, and ColorsWaterplaySunshine and Shadows
Science in kindergarten explores the physical properties of materials and the changes in plants and animals through the seasons.
By the end of the school year, all students should be able to:
Learning at Home
Check the weather together when your child wakes up each day. Talk about what clothes he or she might wear to school based on that day’s forecast.
Ask your child to take photos or draw pictures of a tree or plant near your home as it changes from season to season. Display the pictures together and talk about the changes.
Help your child raise an easy-to-grow plant, like a begonia or coleus, in a pot in your home. Together, find out what the plant needs to be healthy.
Start a family leaf collection and talk about how the leaves are alike and different. The American Museum of Natural History offers an online guide to leaves, plus tips for adult helpers. Go to www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/online_field_journal/. Click on “Field Journals” and choose "Leaves."